Electrical illuminating-sign.



w. W. 'ARNGLD. ELECTRICAL ILLUMINHING APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 3 909.

Patented Dec. 20,1910.

Ill Ir..-

Mmarsas ATTORNEYS W. W. ARNOLD. ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.10, 1909.

978,828. Patented Dec. 20, 19105 e SHEETS-SHEET 2. T 5.522...

N V E N TOR avail 1 710! d I "@Wr.

- g R v ATTORNEYS W. W. ARNOLD, ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATING SIGN. APPLICATION rILI-m A,UG.10, 1909.

Bate nted Dec.20,1910.

8 BHBETB-BHEBT 3,

A 770MB Y8 r W. W. ARNOLD.

ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1909.

v Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

MM 70 Z mm W 0 h .a Z W WITNESSES W. W. ARNOLD ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATING SIGN.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 10, 1909.

Patented Dec. 20, "1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. W. ARNOLD. I ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATING SIGN. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1999 Patented Dec. 20,1910.

6 BHBETSBHEBT 6.

I/L Y Q "R ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE,

WILLIAM WARREN.ARNOL1), OF HAMILTON, OHIO.

ELECTRICAIL ILLUMrNArmG-srcm.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. ARNOLD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hamilton, in the county of Butler and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Electrical. Illuminating-Sign, of

- which the following is a full, clear, and

exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention'has in view are: to pro-' vide an apparatus for producing -illuminated display figures successively to form words or other symbols; to provide means whereby the above object is. accomplished through a selecting apparatus mechanically operated; to provide a construction whereby the successive words, sentences or combination may. be maintained in illuminated form or obliterated atthe will of the operator; and to provide a selective mechanism which is certain, efficient andsimple in operation. One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the structure i'llustrated'in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference denote correspondint parts in all the views, and in Wh1Ch- Figure 1 is a view illustrating the layout of a sign Wired and equipped, an interposed electric central circuit completing apparatus, and a mechanically operated selective mechanism, all arranged and constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the central circuit completing apparatus; Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2, showing the operating carriage and starting and stoppingswitches in side elevation; Fig. 4 is a vertical section, taken onthe hue H in Fig. 2, showing the operating carriage in sectiom'Fig. 5 is,

an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 4 looking at the same from the direction' illustrated by the arrow marked 5 in said Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view in plan of'the releasing mechanism for the contact completing devices, this view being cut in two and contracted; Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the mechanical selecting apparatus; Fig. Sis a plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 7, the top being removed to-show the disposition of the operative elements, this figure being broken away in the center';-Fig. 9 is a layout view illustrating the mechanical .and electrical cooperation. of the various elements; and

electrical Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec 20 1910. Application filed August 10, 1909. Serial No.- 512,163.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view'in planof the releasing device for the current completing apparatus; Fig. 11 is a layout view showing the mechanical arrangement and connection for operating the re-' lease key of the contact frame; Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the selecting key board 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrated as showing one of the keys operative position; Fig. 13'-is a plan view of the switch boards and casing for holding the same. I The signs which this invention has more particularly in contemplation are located on boards having a. possibility of one or more extended lines of letters or other characters. These boards are wired to form a number of distinct and separate circuits in which is inserted an illuminating device, such, for instance, as an electric amp. The illuminating devices are so banked within the all-otted space that, as stated, the possibility of the form produced in the space is limited only by the combination of the various circuitsemployed therein. The capacity of the sign is limited only to the space of the sign board, this being related to the size of what I will style the unit blocks 11, of which there are five shown in the accompanying drawings in Fig. 1. These blocks are constructed of any desired and suitable mate rial, that used by me at present being a wood board or structure of suitable size and marked or spaced ofi into the blocks 11, 11*, 11, 11, 11 The outer surface is studded with a series of short sections of pipe 12, 12, being of sufficient size to contain a lamp socket and to receive a lamp for the said socket in such manner that the head or n se only of the lamp is exposed. In this manner the radiation of the light laterally is, limited, preventing the rendering of the combined form indistinct through diifusion. The various circuits connected with the lamp sockets referred to are on the one side conveyed to a common wire 13, while .on

the other side they are led from the sign as 1 distinct wires 14, which are congregated to form cables. One such cable is extended from each of the blocks 11, 11 in the completed sign board. Suitably cut in on the common wire 13 is a dynamo 16, or other suitable electrical source. Interposed between the wire 13 andthe various cables 15,

15 is a circuit completing apparatus B wherein the various circuits are completed and maintained as a resultfof the operation of'the selective-apparatus G by the operator.

The circuit completing apparatus B is provided with a series of selecting parts composed each of a'series-of parallel metal strips 17, 17. Each of these strips 17, 17 is suitably insulated from its neighbor and is provided with a binding post 18v extended beyond the casing of the apparatus whereby the wires composing the" cable are se-- cured by the bindingscrews 19, 19. .There are, in vertical arrangement,-in each-board,

as many strips 17 as there are wires 14 or The.

devices 12 in each of the" blocks '11. strips l7, 17 are mounted stationarily. Dis:

' posedacrossthe face of thesaid strips in vertical positions'and movable in guides are a series of rods 20, 20. These rods 20, 20 are guided in cross plates 21, 21 mounted above andf below themetal stri s 17,,17l

The rods rest by gravity on the ottom-22 .rods 20, 20 through their. contacts 23, 23.

each etter orcharacter requires the cmof the casing of the apparatus. There are as many rods 20 vertically arranged across the length of the casing of the apparatus as vices 12, the common return wire113,"the

.dynamo or other electric source 16, the plates 21,21 which are connected to the dynamo 16 by means of the binding post 24, and the Hence, whenever in the operation of'the ap-' paratus the contacts23, 23 are brought'into electrical contact with the strips 17 ,,--17- the circuit .of which the selective strip forms a' partis electrified and the illuminating do vices contained inthe branch circui'ts ineluding.thefvarious" strips 17 engaged by the contacts .23fareilluminated. If'the letter be the character "which it is desired to form and the rod 20 corres'ponding thereto ,be sojdisposed that the contacts 23 thereon bebrou'ght into electrical contact with the strips 17 17 forming parts of the various circuits used in illustratmg the letter A,

the illumination resulting upon the completionofgthe various-circuits will be formed on the block.) The contacts 23, 23 are broughtinto contact with-the strips 17, 17 when the rods 20,-20-are raised by reason of the said rods being provided at the upper and lower ends with slots 25, whichjare inclined to the direction of the movement of l the said rods, as shown particularly at Fig. 1 of drawin s, and in such manner as to move the ro. s 20, 20 laterally as the same are raised-in contact with the pins25, 25, this movement being suflicient to bring the contacts 23, 23- jagainst the strips 17, 17.

each other. rod and is provided with a different assortment and different disposition each rod- 201 the combined circuits in each cable 15 are, changed, resulting in a difi'erent arrangement in the illuminated dis lay produced on-the blocks 11 ,11, .1 With t e o eration of therod20it iscaught and he (1 in the raised position wherein the contacts 23, 23 bear against the strip's117, 17 and are there held mechanically. Thisarrangement is produced by the small-catches 26, 26 formed on the sides of-Ithei'ods 20, 20 assing above the-sliding" lock-f plates '27. ach of the lock; plates 27, 27 is'Ysuitably mounted to slide transversely. to thejIpath of the .rods 20, 20, and is-impelled in-one directionby a spiral spring';-28- with whichieach of f the lockplates;-27=are provided. Due tothi's construction the action resulting from the upward rise of'each of'the rods 20,-20 is that the ca'tches26 movethejlook plates 27 to one side until the said catches pass above the said plates, when the springs, 28 immediately move the said plates under the catches 26 of the. raised rods 20. In this position the rods 20' remain until aliof the plates 27 are drawn back from under the catches 26, when by;. reason oftheir'own illuminated designon-the block '11 to which the particular ,boardis electrically conterminals therefor connected with-a separate block 11. Thereby it is arranged that'only -one'rod,20 is operated in each group.

controlled by; the selecting apparatus C.

'Theapparatu's C resembles in construction and operation the key board of the usual keys are held in raised position at the forsprings 32, 32 secured to a cross bar 36 which of the contacts 23,-23, .-hence, with the rise of circuits necessary 'to the; pro uction ofthe i The' lifting of the various rods 20, 20'is- 'ward ends carrying the pads 31, 31 by spiral Each'rod 20 20 operates independently of b weighteach of the rods 20, 20 will (ho to nected. Coincident with the release of each, ;rod 20 thelifting device is shifted to aline with the nextsucceeding group ofrods and typewriter. 'The key bars 29, 29 are piv oted at 30 on pivot rods which extend" lengthwise of the casing of the apparatus Thebarsare provided with key pads 31,31. on whichisindicated the letter, numeral or othercharacter assigned to the key. The

extends over the rear end of each bar 29 by means of links 33', 33 formed from suitable insulating material. The links 33'are pro vided with heads 34, 34, which, when the links 33 are raised, passover the end of swinging arms 35, 35. Thebars 36' are supported upon links 37, 37 provided at either end of the casing of the apparatus C. The links 37 are provided with elongated slots 38, 38 through which-are extended guide screws 39, 39. This mounting of the bar3 6 permits the same to-assumethe position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 of drawings when one of the padded ends of the key bars 29 is depressed, as shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 7. The arms 35 are pivotally mounted in the sides of the casing at 40 and are held in a suspended position by means of a spiral spring 41. In the raised position the arms 35 bear against the blocks 42, 42. The arms 35 are depressed above and in line-with the binding screw 43 through which the terminal wire 44 of the escape= ment circuit is secured. This escapement clrcult referred to Is constituted'by the wire 44and a wire44wh1ch is .secured to the arms 35 and is the other terminal of saidcircuit.

The remaining elements of this circuit are the electric source and the solenoids 46 mounted upon a rolling carriage withinof the bars 29 is a table 47 which extends across the front of the apparatus C. The

table 47 is formed from any suitable insulating material, and has secured thereon a series of metal strips 48, 48. The strips 48, 48 coincide in numberwith the key bars 29 and are so disposed as to receive one of the said bars in contact, and only one. The strips 48 constitute the terminals of the various circuits which this selecting apparatus C is constructed to produce. From each of the strips 48 is extended a circuit wire 49. The wires 49 are gathered and bound into a cable which is carriedto the circuit com pleting apparatus B and there distributed and connected with the various magnets 51, 51 which are suspended from the platform 52 of the carriage employed in the circuit completing apparatus-B. Each-magnet 51 is provided with the usual wire winding and exposed cores, the winding in the present case being secured on the one side to a common ground bar 54 and on the other side each'rnagnet is metallically secured to a brush spring 55 extended upward from the platform 52. Each spring 55 bears against plates 58, 58 are in metallic contact with the dynamo 16 or other electrical supply. It will be seen firom-this arrangement that whenever a circuit is completed by the depressing of any particular one of'the key bars 29, that circuit incorporates one and only one, of the various magnets 51, 51. The circuit is completed by the depression of the bars 29 by reason of a depended arm 59 mounted on each of the said bars 29, being brought in brushing contact with a brush sprin 60 mounted on the inner end of the plat orm 47. The brush contacts 60 may be many or one. In either event it or they are con nected by a terminal 61 to the opposite side of the dynamo 16.

In the operation of the selecting apparatus C as just described, when each key is depressed the bar 29 forms a contact between one of the terminals 60 and the com- 4 mon terminal 48 of the circuit in which is incorporated one of the magnets 51. This magnet 51 is provided with suitable pole pieces 62, 62 which are juxtaposed to plates 63, 63, thus constituting what are substantially the armatures of the said magnats. Vith the energization of the magnet it draws the plate 63 upward. The plates 63 are integrally formed with the rods 20, 20.

As above explained, the rods 20, 20 when lifted are influenced by the inclined slots 25, 25 to throw forward to cause the contacts 23, 23 'to impinge'upon the strips 17, 17 for which they are designed. Also, as above explained, when each of the rods 20, 20 are raised the catches 26, 26 extend over and are held by the plates 27, 27 and thus remain until the said plates are removed from their mechanical engagement with the said. rods. It has also been explained that coincident with the contact between the can tacts 23, 23 and the strips 17, 17 some one particular letter is formed and displayed upon the sign and in the successive block 11 thereof. It has also been stated that there 'could be, in theproper operation of the apparatus, but one character displayed on each of the blocks. The reason for this is as follows: With the depression of each bar 29 to cause the selective operation above described the links 33, 33 are raised so that the heads 34. 34 thereof extend over the arms in full lines at Fig. 7 of drawings. On the return of the link 33 it bears uponthe arm '35 causing the same to be depressed until it impinges upon the binding-screw 43, there-- by completing the electrical circuit in which the solenoids as, 46 are incorporated; The contact which is formed between the'arm'35 and the binding post 43 is momentary, for;

the reason that the head 34 of the link 33 normally rests below the end of the arm'to whichiit may be depressed, and is impelled to assume such lowered position by the spring 32 passing from over the arm 35in order so to do. This releases the arm 35 and permits the spring 41 to raise the same to its normal'position, which is outof contact with the binding post 43. In. this manner there is 'established'lajohrrerit within the solenoids 46'wl1ich energizes the same to free the carriage on which are suspended the Ini-agnets 5'1 and to permit the mechanical means to retract the said carriage from this held position. The breaking of the circuit of the solenoid,howeverfoccurs almostimmediately and before the plunger 64 reaches the succeeding indent 67. When such indent is reachedthe spring 65 seats the plunger 64 within the said indent, and the carriage is locked in position. forj. the suc-. ceeding action on the selecting apparatus B. and the circuit completing apparatus C.

The plunger cores 64, 64 of the solenoids 46, 46 are extended from the center of the solenoids by means of spiral springs 65, 65 which springs press the outer ends of the cores 64 against indented rails 66, 66. The

, rails 66, 66 are provided with a series of 'indents 67, 67 therebeing one of such iiidents in line .with each row of the rods 20, 20 and the plates 63, 63 carried thereby. Or, in other words, there is a position for the carriage supporting the magnets 51 directly over the said rods 20 in each-board of tlie contact completing apparatus, B, and this whether-the multiplicity ofboards be great or small. The 'carriage'supporting the: said magnets, is mechan cally, impelled from the forward to the rear end-of the cas-. ing of the apparatus B, passing transversely over-the said boards. are engagedsuccessively by the iridents 67, 6'7, as stated. -It-is from such engagement that the plunger cores are raised ,when the.

The plu'ngers 64, 64

solenoids46 are energized, as',--'above de- 'scribed. Thus it will be seen that-following the energization of each of the magnets 51 and coincident-, with the release of the key the depression of which causesyjthe said energization of, the magnets 51, there is a contact made which energizes the-{solenoids .46, drawing the plungers' 64 .itpward to within the coil ofijthe solenoid and but of the indent 67 In this position, the carriage being-unrestrained, the mechanical means iminediatelyl- 'shiftsthe same; f. 4

The carriage above referred to .jembodies the platform 52 preferably constructed frem any suitable insulating material. This is mounted on-suitable carryin wheels 68, 68

which havebearings in brac ets 69, 69 fixedly-mounted upon the said platform. The

wheels 68 track upon rails 70, 70 which are extended at both sides of the casing of the circuit completing apparatus B from the front to the rear thereof. The carriage has secured to, each side thereof flexible draft connectors '71 and 72 each of which are led over pulleys and to-each of which are attached weights 74, 74. The weight 74 attached to theflexible connector 72 is considerably heavierthan that attached to the connector 71. Therefore, the normal tendency of the carriageis to pass to the pulley 73 over which the connector. 72 is threaded. When, however, the weight 74 of the con- .nector 72 is-"raised by the operator the weight mounted on the connector 71 is suflicient to draw the carriage to the forward position. At the forward and rear positions of the carriage are. 'placed the plungers 75, 75. These are suitably-mounted in guide bosses 76, 76 and are pivotally secured to levers 77, 77, pivotally mounted at 78, 78st the front and rear'of the casingof the circuit completing apparatus B. The upper ends of riousplates 27, 27 from the rods 20, 20 held by them in operative position. At the rear of the'casing is a terminal block' 81 with whichtlie'leven77 or a, suitable member connected therewith forms an electrical contact. The said bloek .8'1 and the lever 77 form a switch on the-lighting circuit. The switch 82 shown in the diagram illustrated in Fig 9 is used as the equivalent of'these parts- YVhen in the course of this operation the carriage is retracted so that. the platform 52 strikes upon the plungers 75', it forces the lever 77 out of electrical contact with the block 81, thereby openlng the circuit 82.

With the movement ofthe one lever 77 out of contact with the block81 the opposite lever 77 through the engagement by-the conmotor--79, is 1 drawn toward the casing, thrustingthe. plunger 75 carried by it into the said casing; YVhen now the heavier weight 74 is raised, the l'ighflerweight 74 draws the carriage forward in "the'casing of the circuit completing apparatus B, until' the platform of the said carriage. impinges upon the plunger 75 in the front of the said casing, thrusting the same away from said casing and drawing the opposite lever 77 into electrical contact with the block 81. The lighting circuits are arranged so that by the manipulation of any of the said rods 20, 20 the lighting circuit is completed.

In order that the various rods 20, 20 may be successively operated, it is necessary that the plates 27, 27 shall .be drawn out of holding engagement therewith at the com pletion of the rearward travel of the carriage. .To accomplish this I have provided magnets 83, 83 which are electrically .connectcd in series by the wire 84. The one of said magnets is connected by means of a wire 85, to a wi ing strip 86, fixedly mounted on the side the said casing and adapted to be impinged upon by one of the springs 53 just prior to or simultaneously with the impingement of the platform upon the lunger 7 connected with the lever 77 which is I arranged to break the main lighting circuit. It is to the same circuit thatthe wires 84, 85

and 87 lead and are connected, whereby when the circuit is broken by the disengage ment ofthelever 77 and the block 81 the circuit through the wires 84:, 85 and 87 and strip 86-and the magnets 83 is also broken. It is during theperiod of time immediately preceding the throw of the lever 77 from the block 81 that the circuit through the magnets 83, 83 is completed. The magnets 83, 83 as'shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings are located at opposite ends of the casing of the circuit completing apparatus B. upon screws 88, 88 isa plate 89 formed from suitable metal and adapted to be drawn to the cores 90, 90 of the magnets 83, 83. At-

taehed to the plate 89 are the various plates 27, 27 which are ,thereby'moved with the said plate 89 and sin'niiltaneously. This movement of the plates 27, 27 is suflicient to-withdraw the said plates from engagement with the catches 26. 26 of the rods 20,

- 20, permitting the said rods to fall for the lack of support by the said plates 27, 27.

' When the carriage is shifted forward, as

above described, the brush 53 is drawn from contact with the stri 86 and the springs 28 are permitted to slide the said plates 27 under the catches 26 of the rods when and as thesame' are again raised in the continuance of the operat1on' of the sign 1llum1- nated.

Having an apparatus constructed and arranged as above described and as shown in the accompanying drawings the operation of the same is as follows: The initial step of the operator would be to lift the heavier of the weights 7 1 for mechanically operating' th e carriage of the circuit completing ap )aratus B. If the apparatus B is prov1 with a main'control switch this is then closed. The operator now, by manipulation of thekey bars 29, spells out a word, or if the sign be sufliciently large, a message.

Mounted With the depressing of any one oi the key padsand the key bar 29 connected therewith, a letter. or character corresponding to that for which the particularfkey pad stands is traced upon one of the blocks 11 of the sign,

the tracing being from lamp 12 to lamp 12 within the said block. The key being released causes the solenoids 4.6 to becomeenergized momentarily torelease the carriage and to permit it to fall back for one space and to present the magnets 51 to the next board or bank of plates 63 and rods 20. The

second letter of the word being new depressed, there flashes on the second space the second illuminated tracing in simulation of the character for which the said depressed key stands. 'Again, on the releasing of the second key the solenoids are energized, inaugurating the movement whereby the carriage is again shifted to the next board or bank of rods 20, 20. illuminated it so remains, due to the rod 20 having been caught and suspended by the As each character is plate 27. Thus, if the sign comprises a thousand blocks 11, and the circuit completipg apparatus B a corresponding number ofgroups of plates 17 and rods 20, 20, an illuminated message could gradually be formed upon the sign containing, a thousand letters or as many words as those letters would form. At the end of the capacity of the board the carria 'e would move so that the platform 52 would impinge upon the plunger 75 at the rear end of the casing of the circuit completing apparatus B, to throw the lever 77 out of contact with the switch block 81, therebybreaking the illuminating circuit and placing the whole sign in darkness. Momentarily preceding the breaking of this circuit thebrush contact would have swept the terminal strip 86, completing 1 While nothing herein has been mentioned with regard to regulating the respective ing current may be independent of the current operating the circuit completing apparatus B, whereby the parts of the selecting apparatus C maybe formed to a structure more delicate than would otherwise be desirable, and also having the use of variablev resistances one circuit.

The space bar 91 illustrated in Fig. 1 of placed on the various branches of currents, it will be understood that the lighta grams and arranged to receive the circuit -in the other keys of the selective device.

The result of this is to skip a space orjunit 11 if such. eflect be desired. This may be ntilized in sign writing as in the ordinary type machine writing when sentences are separated.- It may also be utilized in spacing after a punctuation mark. j Having thus described my invention what I 'claim'as new and desire tosecure by Let? ters Patent is '1. An electrical illuminating sign coin prising avsignstructure embodying a p'lii- ;rality of nioiiograms; a multiplicity of elec-,

tric circuits incorporating in each circuit a separate display device mounted on .said sign structure; a plurality of board-like members arranged in successive'o'rdenj-said board-like members equaling in ngm'ber said monoivires-of the said nionograms of said sign;

a' series of elongated metal; strips mounted on said board like members in parallel arrangement, each of said strips forming the te'rmi i a-l for one of the saidcirc'uits incorporating; one of the said display devices; movable contactors-eachadapted to complete ag-series of said circuits by impinging on a seriesof,

said" terminals; 21 series of electroi'r' agnets equaling in number the characters to be displayed on the sign and disposed injuxtaposition to the said contactoi s on one of the said board-like members; a-carriage supporting said magnets and movably mounted to 4 convey the said magnets successively over the said. board-like members; means for moving the saidcarriage; electro-responsive means for arresting the movement of said carriage; and circuit closing devices to operate said magnets,

2. An electrical illuminating sign, comprising a-sign structure embodyinga plurality of inono'grams; a multiplicity of electric circuits incorporating in each circuit a separate display device mounted 'on said sign structure; a plurality of board-like members arrangedin successive order, said board-like members equaling in number said monograms. and arran ed to receive the circuit Wires of the saicl monograms of said sign; a series of elongated metal strips mounted on said board-like members in parallel arrangement; each of said strips forming the terminal for one of the said circuits incorporating one of the said display devices; movable contactors each adapted to complete a series of said circuits by impinging on a series of said terminals; a series of plate -48 and the I terminal strips forming electroinagnets adapted to cause'usaid con- .tactorsto impinge on said terminals said 'electromagiiets equaling iii number the said contactors and disposed in -juxtaposition qtliereto'; arcarria'ge to support said ma'gnets, said carriage being mounted on carrying wheels to operate to successively present the said magnets to the successive board'rlike member; electro-responsive means for arrestng the said carriage 'at each .of the said board-like members; to successively place the c said magnets in operative position. to the contactors of the successive board-like member; circuit closing (IGVICBS to operate said magnets; and means for maintaining in con-. tacted' position the said COHtilCtOIS.

3. An electrical illuminating sign, comprising a sign structure embodying a plurality of monograms; a multiplicity of electric circuits incorporating in each circuit a sepa rate display device mounted onsaid'sign structure; a plurality of board-like members arranged in successive order, said board-like members equaling in number said monogranis and arranged to receive the circuit Wires of tlIQ SHld ITIOIIOgIMHS of said sign; a series of elongatcd metal 'St'IIPS mounted on said board-like members' in parallel arrangement, each of said the terminal for one of the said circuits incorporatin one of the said display devices; movabc contactors each adapted to complete a series of said circuit-s by 'impinging on a series of said terminals; a series of electromagnetsequah' ing-in number the characters -to.-be displayed on the sign and disposed in juxtaposition to the said contactors on one of the said boardlike members; a carriage supporting said magnets and movably mounted to convey the saidniagnets 's i iccessively over the said board-like menibeis; means for moving the said carriage; electro-responsive means for arresting the movement of said carriage;

circuit closing devices to operate said magnets; and-means for maintaining in contacted position, the said contactors,

4:. An electrical illuminating sign, em bodying a sign structure embodying a plu i'ality of monograms; a multiplicity'ofelec-- tric circuits incorporating in each circuita separate, display device mounted on said sign structure; a plurality of board-like members arranged in successive order, said board-like members equaling in number said monogranis and arran ed 'to receive the circuit wires of the sai monogranis of said sign; a seriesof elongated metal strips mounted on said board-like members in parallel arrangement, each of. said strips by impinging on a series of said terminals;

a series of electroinagnets adapted to cause said contactors to impinge 'on said terminals, said electromagnets e ualing in number the said contactors and isposed in juxtaposition thereto; a carriage to support said magnets, said carriage being mounted on carrying wheels to operate to successively present the said magnets to the successive board like member; electro responsive means for arrest-ing the said carriage at each of the said board-like members to successively place the said magnets in operative position to the contactors-of the successive board-like member; circuit closing devices to operate s'aid magnets; means for maintaining in. cont-acted position the said contactors; and means for releasing the said contactors after the said carriage has presented the said magnets to the contactors of the last of the said board-like members.

5. An electrical illun'iinating sign, coinrisin a si n structure embod in a 3111- rality of monograms; a multiplicity of electi'iccircuits incorporating in each circuit a separate display device mounted on said sign structure; a plurality of board-like members arranged in successive order, said board-like members equaling in number said monograms and arranged to receive the circuit wires of the said monograms of said sign; a series of elongated metal strips mounted on said board-like members in parallel arrangement, eaclr'of said strips forming the terminal for one of thesaid circuits incorporating one of the said display devices; movable contactors each adapted to complete a series of said circuits by impinging on a series of said terminals; a series of electromagnets adapted to cause said contactors to impinge on said terminals, said elcctromagnets equaling in number the said contactors and disposed in juxtaposition thereto; a carriage to support said magnets, said carriage being mounted on carrying Wheels to operate to successively present the said magnets to the successive board-like .member; electro-responsive'means for arresting the said carriage at each of the said board-like members to successively place the said magnets in operative position to the contactors of the successive board-like member; circuit closing devices to operate said magnets; means for maintaining in contacted position the said contactors; means for'releasing the said contactors after the said carriage has presented thesaid magnets to the contactors of the last of the said board-like members; and a cutout switch operated by said carriage after the last magnets have been presented to the contactors of the last board-like member.

6. An electrical illuminating sign, comprising a sign structure embodying a plurality of monograms; a multiplicity of electric circuits incorporating in each circuit a separate display device mounted on said sign structure; a plurality of board-like members arranged in successive order, said board-like members equaling in number said monograms and arranged to receive the circuit wires of the said inonograms of said sign; a series of elongated metal stripsmounted on said board-like members in parallel arrangement, each of said strips forming the terminal for one of the said circuits incorporating one of' the said display devices; movable cont-actors each adaptedto complete a series of said circuits by impinging on a series of said terminals; a series of said magnets 'to the successive board-likc member; electro-responsive means for arresting the said carriage at each of the said board-like members to successively place the said magnets in operative position to the contactors of the successive board-like member; circuit closing devices to operate said magnets; means for maintaining in contacted position the said contactors; means for releasing the said contactors after the said carriage has presented the said magnets to the contactors of the last of the said boardlike members; a cut out switch operated by said carriage after the last magnet-s have been presented to the contactors of the last board-like member; and means for closing the said cut-out switch by moving the said carriage inline With the contactors of the first of the said board-like" members.

7. An electrical illuminating sign, com- .prising a sign structure einbodying'a plurality of monograms; a multiplicity of electric circuits incorporating in eachcir'cuita separate display device mounted on said sign' structure; a plurality of board-like mem-.

bers arranged in successive order, said board-like members equaling in number said monograins and arran ed to receive the cir-' cuit Wires of the saitlmonograms of said sign; a seriesof elongated metal strips mounted on said board-like members in parallel arrangement, each of said strips forming the terminal for one of the said circuits incorporating one of thesaid display devices; movable contactors each adapted to complete a series of said circuits by impinging on a series of 'said'terminals; a series of electromagnets adapted to cause said contactors to impinge on said terminals, said electromagnets equaling in number the said contactors and disposed in juxtaposition thereto; a carriage to support said magnets, said carriage being mounted on carrying Wheels to operate to successively present the said magnetsto the successive wherein thefmagnets are presented to the 'board-likejm'embers; a switch having a projection in the path of t .id carriage, adaptedto be im inged thereby to openthe said switch a terthe magnetshave been .presented to the contactors of the last. board- 'likemember; a switch at the opposite end of the. path of the said carriage having a projection to extend into the path of the same to be impinged upon by the said carriage as the same approaches the position contaotors of the first of the said 'board-like members; and suitable connections for the said switches whereby the movement of the one impels the "movement of the other.

8 An electrical illuminating sign, comprising a sign'board embod ing a plurality of monograms; aseries 0 switch boards corresponding in number with the number of m'onograms in said sign board,said switch boardsbeing disposed in paralielf* arrai1'ge1-- n'i'ent and/in close order; a plurality of cons tact strips mounted on each of said switchboards, said strips corresponding in number to thefnumber of illuminating devices mounted-,r'iythe monogram to which eachswitch board- .is connected; a key foperated' circuit closing mechanism having {keys corresponding in HUI IIbGI tOYthQ various sign characters plurality of movablecontacts mounted on each of said switch boards andequaling'in number the said sign characters;

eachof said movable contacts adapted to be moved to place in circuit a separate group of said contact strips a carriage movably mounted to travel past the edge of said "switch boards successively; a series of electromagnets equaling in number the said keys, mounted on sa d carriage to alme with said contacts success1vely,-sa1d electromagnets being in circuit with the said keys to be energlzed by the closing of said keys; and means for moving the said carriage past the said switch boards successivel 9. An .electrica illuminating sign; com- 4 switch boards tact strips mounted on eac of said switch boards, said strips corresponding in number to, thenumber of illuminatm' devices mounted on. the monogram to wich each switch boardis connected; a plurality of movable vcontacts mounted on each of said. I

switch boards and equaling in, number the various sign characters, ea'ch'of said-movable contacts adapted to be moved to placein circuit a separate group of. said contact strips; and means .for moving ;one..of said contacts on each switch board against the said strips thereon to place in circuit a-cer-- tain-series of said strips 'andillum'inating devices connected .therewith;

In testimony-whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM WARREN ARNOLD. Witnesses:

\ FIiANK.M-.'HEGK,

J. C. SLAYBA'oK. 

